Cold Feet

VIOLA

I get back to the table and sit down beside Ashley after the new bar limit has been confirmed. She looks at me and smiles.

“You were gone a while,” she smiles knowingly waiting for me to spill the beans.

“I had to sort out the bar limit,” I reply blushing. “I wasn’t with him all the time.”

“Could have fooled me,” Ashley says. Bursting with curiosity, she asks, “What did he want?”

“To get together after the wedding,” I smile.

“Really?” Ashley asks surprised. “He doesn’t take it slow does he?”

I blush again as I think of just how slow we didn’t take it. I shake my head not trusting my voice to answer as I avoid Ashley’s gaze.

“You tart!” she whispers. “You didn’t!”

“Didn’t what?” I ask feigning ignorance but still not looking at her.

“I know you,” Ashley whispers again. “You dirty little girl!” she teases.

I look at her and feign offense. “Get your mind out of the gutter,” I smile.

“C’mon. Tell me, tell me!” she whispers, begging like a little child.

I have worked with Ashley for a long time and we are good friends. She knows me well and I know her well too. I’m enjoying stringing her along.

“We didn’t…” I say and let the thought hang in the air.

“…but?” she prompts.

“I had to come back here for the bar limit but you can call me commando,” I say as I sip my drink.

“Commando?” Ashley asks confused and then it hits her. Her hand flies to her mouth as she realizes what I mean. “Oh my…”

I smile at her and wink. Then her eyes flick to a point above and behind my head and a moment later I hear his voice again.

“Is this seat taken?” he asks.

Of course not, and if it was, it would have become vacant right now just for you, I think before I reply. “No, but I’m guessing it’s about to be.”

“That all depends on whether you’ll permit me to be seated,” he smiles as he waits for permission.

What a gentleman, I think wondering what he’s done with my panties.

seated,” I say and then add,

pulls the chair out and sits as I look at Ashley. She gives me a quick wink and then excuses herself

your busy schedule for a few more

“You may,” I reply.

fabulous.” Rick says lightly. His voice is confident. It has an authoritative but kind tone. One that

hint of wood and it’s strong. Not in the sense that

blushing again. I’m blushing between my thighs and I’m pretty sure he knows it.

told me that you’re one of the top wedding planners in Los Angeles,” he

can for my clients. They are important and it’s

a very noble way of thinking. Very

much? You do know it works wonders, don’t you? I will add

you. I simply believe

I incline

we put our earlier moment aside? There’s something else

about?” I ask

or not. I believe I’m also

I ask myself. Did he just start to talk business? I start to feel deflated, disappointed. Cloud number nine

have a big network of people already though,” I

service,” he replies. “I doubt you have someone like me on your team. Very few wedding planners

respond. “What exactly is it that you

into his jacket. He removes his wallet and takes out a business card. He returns his wallet to his jacket

his moves. They seem so fluid, lithe is the word that comes

lawyer,”

me hard. A lawyer? What on

lawyer?” I don’t like lawyers for personal reasons and I can’t help the hint of irritation that creeps into my voice when

smiles and looks at me before continuing, “Well, many couples prefer to have prenups drawn up before they get married. Some even want a last

slowly. “Okay, that makes

he smiles. He sits forward and continues, “That’s just

you mean by

the divorce

I

“Yes, divorce,” he repeats.

happened between us earlier is wiped out. I feel

the most beautiful days a couple will ever have

most beautiful days. It

marriage is going to end in divorce sooner or later?” I ask incredulously. This time I keep

let me give you an idea of what I’m talking about. In California

as

what the national average is? It’ll make you wonder